Rich Shapero Read Free Page A

Fristeen and they crumpled and rolled. Then they were up together, racing
down the long slope. Robbie skipped and squawked, sharp things poking through
the mulch at his shoeless foot.
    They reached the stream, crossed the log
bridge and followed the bank. Was Shivers right behind? There—Fristeen's
ribbon. They scrambled beneath the Fallen Down Trees, and when they rose, the
Bendies were just as they had left them.
    At the top of the Hill, the fierce wind
vanished abruptly, replaced by a gentle breeze. The spell seemed to dissolve,
and their panic subsided.
    Far below, Robbie saw his home. The sky
hadn't yet dimmed, but the windows were lit. Down they ran, Fristeen headlong,
Robbie hobbling. About halfway, she shouted, "Tree to tree." So they
zigged and zagged, wheeling and slapping the cool gray trunks. Then the
Clearing was before them and they stumbled onto the flat, laughing and hugging
and gazing back up the slope.
    "We did it," Robbie said. His
voice was tremulous. Fristeen's hands were still shaking. Their eyes met,
sharing their relief and the narrow escape.
    How much had they imagined? Robbie pictured
himself recounting the adventure to Mom and Dad. Were they just lies—more
elaborate ones? No. What had happened was real. He'd pierced the forbidden
without help or permission. Fear had lost its tyranny over him. Fristeen was
beside him now, putting her hand in his, grateful and adoring.
    "He Knows was right," Robbie
said, mastering his pride.
    Fristeen agreed.
    Robbie faced his home and sniffed.
"Hungry?" He could usually tell what was for dinner, but the air was
odorless.
    "Starving," Fristeen said.
    He wasn't. He felt full, not just in his
stomach, but in his chest and his head, and his arms and legs, too. It was her,
Robbie realized. He was full of Fristeen.
    "Want to know something?" He took
a breath.
    Fristeen saw the look in his eyes.
    Robbie struggled for words. "I've got
a secret."
    She danced in front of him, circled him
with her arms and put her lips to his cheek. "No you don't."
    Robbie stood speechless, watching as she
stepped away from the Clearing and started through the shrubs. Just before she
vanished, she turned half around.
    "I live right over there," she
called back to him, pointing.

2
    Robbie saw a shadow in the window. Then the
back door burst open and Mom came flying out. Her coat was on, and she had her keys
in her hand. She crossed the deck and swept him up, hugging him tightly.
    "Mom," he murmured. Her chest was
heaving against his, and Robbie could feel the dampness on her cheeks. He drew
her plushy scent in and a sigh escaped him. The only true fearlessness was
here, in Mom's arms. Robbie was suddenly aware of the tension inside him. He
was ticking like a wind-up toy. "Dad?"
    His father stepped beside them.
    "What are you doing home?"
    "Your mom called." Dad put his
arm around him.
    Robbie grinned and reached out, full of his
achievement. "Guess what—"
    Mom lost her balance and was forced to let
go.
    Robbie slid to the deck. "Dad—"
    "Where were you?" Mom shrieked.
She fell to her knees, eyes wild, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him.
Suddenly her face buckled, the accumulated worry overcame her and she was
convulsed with sobs. "Where?" she shrieked again.
    Robbie tried to find his voice. He could
see Mom's lips trembling. "In the Clearing."
    "That's a lie," she said.
    "And up the Hill." Robbie met her
glare.
    "You disappeared," Trudy said.
The day sitter stepped forward, allying with Mom.
    Robbie wrinkled his nose at her.
    Mom didn't notice. She'd turned her wrath
on Trudy. "I'm ready to fire you."
    Trudy bowed her head.
    "Are you alright?" Mom asked.
"Your shirt's torn. Where exactly did you
go?"
    Robbie saw Dad watching him. There was a
hint of sympathy in Dad's eyes. But why was the corner of his mouth lifting?
Dad nodded to him, acknowledging his predicament, then he turned and headed
back to the house.
    At the sound of his footsteps, Mom
stiffened. "That's it, Robbie."
    He